Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert is reaching across the aisle and beyond the Capitol walls with a new initiative that aims to connect state legislators with their constituents. The program, dubbed "Capitol to Community," kicked off with a full-day event in Ada, Oklahoma, in an effort to foster a more direct line of communication between public officials and the people they represent. In this first visit, House Majority Caucus members spent the day listening and learning from the Ada community, as reported by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Highlights from the Ada stop of the "Capitol to Community" series included discussions with Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation on infrastructure and tribal-state collaborations, and a panel on mental health challenges with professionals from various local organizations. Hilbert believes the series is an opportunity to meet "people where they are," and to ensure "that our legislative goals align with the everyday needs of Oklahomans," according to the Oklahoma House news release. Visits to local educational and law enforcement training facilities further highlighted the spectrum of community interests and needs.
Ada's own Representative, Ronny Johns, was proud to host the inaugural "Capitol to Community" event, expressing its significance for both state leaders and local voices. "This visit was a chance to showcase our community, but was a reminder of how impactful it can be when state leaders take the time to engage directly with local voices, including those from communities outside their home districts," Johns told the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
The "Capitol to Community" series is not a one-off event, with plans already underway for future stops in other Oklahoma communities such as Broken Arrow and Woodward.
